Golf ball marking machine or the like



June 14, 1932. J. D. LYON 1,862,358

GOLF BALL MARKING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed new 2. 1929 I I a gwuentot @sse ya Patented June 14, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JESSE D. LYON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO GOLF BALL MARKING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Application filed December 2, 1929. Serial No. 410,999.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in golf ball marking machines and the like.

An object of the invention is to so construct an efficient and serviceable means for holding or clamping an object, for example a golf ball, that the cost of manufacture thereof is greatly reduced.

Another object is to provide a device for the purpose stated, which is quick-acting and selflocking.

Another object is to provide a novel means of precluding wear on the clamping elements of the device, thereby retaining indefinitely the smoothness of operation which is characteristic of the device when new.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the holding or clamping means as applied to a golf ball marker.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on line 22 of Fig. l. I

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. A is an enlarged perspective view of a cam follower forming a detail of the invention.

It has been the practice, heretofore, in the manufacture of integral clamp jaws 6 and cam portions 7 of devices such as is disclosed herein, to shape or cast such integral parts from a metal which was suitable for use in the cam portion 7, there being no particular attention paid to the suitability of such metal for use in the jaw portion 6. Such practice necessitated the use of a comparatively hard and tough metal having a comparatively high melting point, and in consequence thereof the melting and casting of such parts was costly because of the time and high temperatures required for the casting operation. It is well known that the machining of such metal is more costly, also. By constructing the device in accordance with the present invention,however, it is possible to make use of a soft and inexpensive castable metal which may readily be worked and finished, without detracting from the serviceability and efficlency of the device. The labor and time required in the manufacture of the device may thereby be greatly reduced.

In the drawing, 8 represents a base, which for purpose of explanation, may be a golf ball marking machine frame. It is to be understood that although the invention is disclosed as applied to the golf ball marking machine, it is not to be limited to such use, for the application thereof to other devices will become readily apparent as the description proceeds. The base 8 may be provided with a pair of spaced bearings 9 for rotatably sup porting a shaft 10 having a suitable fixed handle 11 for rotation thereof. Longitudinal reciprocationvof the shaft may be precluded by any suitable known means, such as a pin 12 extending through one of the bearings 9 and freely entering an annular groove 13 in the shaft. the foregoing, that the shaft 10 is capable of free rotation, but incapable of longitudinal movement.

On the shaft 10 are freely and rotatably mounted a pair of complementary sliding ele ments or jaw blocks 14, each comprising the parts 6 and 7. The blocks 14L are urged in opposite directions, along the shaft 10, by means of a compression spring or the like 15. Rotation of the blocks on the shaft is precluded in any suitable manner, such as by providing a loose tongue and groove construction 16 (Fig. 2) between the block and the base. The particular means for precluding such rotation of the blocks is not of importance to the present invention.

Each of the sliding elements consists of a cam portioni', which is in the form of a'sleeve,

and a clamp jaw or receptacle 6 integral therewith. A rib or strut 17 provides support for the parts. The inner annular surface 18 of each sleeve serves as an abutmentjfor spring 15, while the outer annular surface 19 is shaped to provide a single or terminal cam face 20. For a portion of its length, the cam face presents a slight decline,-as at 21, which terminates in a comparatively sharp decline, indicated at 22. At the end of the sharp decline is an abutment 28 which may be at right angles to the mean plane of the cam face.

It should be apparent from Each cam face is adapted to cooperate with a cam follower 24 which is mounted for free rotation in an opening 25 drilled substantially radially of the shaft 10. The opening is cylindrical and has a bottom wall or abutment 26 upon which may rest the end 27 of the cylindrical portion 28 of the cam follower. Friction between the end 27 and the bot tom wall of the opening, may be reduced by mounting the follower upon a ball bearing or by providing the end 27 thereof with a point or other suitable anti-friction device.

The outer or extending portion 29 of the cam follower is ground or otherwise shaped, to provide a flat cam face 30 which is adapted for constant abutment upon the cam face 20. The face 30 preferably is parallel to the axis of the cam follower, though not necessarily so. It is desirable, however, to have the said face as large area as possible, wherefore the preferred construction is to have the axis of the follower within the plane of face 30. Face 30, being of large area, and the follower being freely rotatable in the opening 25, insure perfect contact of the follower face upon the cam face at all times, regardless of the curvature of the cam face. Under these conditions, the wear on the cam face 20 is negligible; consequently the cam face, the sleeve upon which it is formed, and also the portion 6, may be cast integrally of comparatively soft, malleable and inexpensive metal. The shoulder 31, which may be substantially at right angles to face 30, is adapted to abut the inner concave wall 32 of the member 7 (Fig. 1), thereby precluding outward displacement of the cam follower. The follower or pin 24: may readily be removed and replaced by a mere independent shifting of the sliding element or aw, in a direction centemvard of the device.

To operate the jaws for holding an article therebetween, the sh aft is rotated by means of the handle 11 so that face 30 of the followers travel along the steep cam faces 22, thereby rapidly moving the slidable members 7 toward one another, against the resistance of spring 15. As the follower faces pass over the slightly inclined faces indicated by 21, the speed of movement of the slidable memhers is decreased, while the compressive force thereon is increased, as is readily understood.

It should be apparent from the foregoing, that the improved means disclosed herein for converting the rotary movement of shaft 10 into linear movement of the members 7 permit of the use of comparatively soft metal members 7, which are relatively less expensive of manufacture than those of more durable and harder material. For heavy work, the sleeves 14f may be lined with bushings of steel or other hard material.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Vhat is claimed is 1. In combination in a vise a shaft having an opening therein, said shaft being mounted for rotatory movement, a sliding clamp jaw element having an interior annular wall surrounding the shaft and freely movable relative thereto, a cam follower pin rotatably received in the opening of the shaft, a projecting portion on the cam follower pin, said portion being provided with a substantially flat face, a curved terminal annular cam face on the sliding element for eo-operation with the substantially flat face of the pin, a shoulder on the pin in advance of the face for abutting the interior annular wall of the sliding element to preclude outward displacement thereof from the opening of the shaft, and means for normally retaining the cam face and the cam follower face in abutment, whereby the cam and pin are maintained in engagement and the pin retained in place, while permitting ready removal and replacement of the pin by longitudinal manual shifting of the jaw.

2. In combination in a vise a shaft having an opening therein, said shaft being mounted for rotatory movement, a sliding clamp aw element mounted on the shaft for linear movcment relative thereto, a cam follower freely rotatably received in the opening of the shaft, a projecting portion on the cam follower in advance of the face, said portion being provided with a substantially flat face, a curved terminal cam face on the sliding element for cooperation with the substantially flat face of the cam follower, a shoulder on the cam follower precluding outward displacement of the cam follower from the opening ,of the shaft, and means for normally retaining the cam face and the cam follower face in abutment, while permitting ready removal and replacement of the pin by longitudinal independent manual shifting of the jaw.

3. In combination a shaft having an opening therein, said shaft being mounted for rotatory movement, a sliding clamp jaw ele ment mounted on the shaft for linear movement relative thereto and having a terminal cam face of varying inclination, a cam follower freely and rotatably received in the opening of the shaft, an extending portion on the cam follower said portion being provided with a substantially flat face for abutment with the cam face of the sliding element, and a shoulder on the cam' follower for abutting the sliding element and precluding outward displacement of the cam follower.

4. In combination in a vise a shaft mounted for rotatory movement, a sliding clamp jaw element mounted on the shaft for linear movement relative thereto, a rotatable cam follower pin rotatable relative to the shaft and having a flat face thereon, a shoulder on the cam follower pin said shoulder being adapted for abutment upon the sliding element to normally preclude outward displacement of the pin, and a terminal cam face on the sliding element for cooperation with the flat face of the cam follower pin to produce relative longitudinal movement of the sliding element and the shaft upon rotation of said shaft, the follower pin being readily re moved and replaced at will by independent manual shifting of the jaw longitudinally away from the follower pin.

5. In combination in a vise a shaft mounted for rotatory movement, a sliding clamp jaw element mounted on the shaft for linear movement relative thereto, a rotatable cam follower pin carried by the shaft and having aflat face thereon, a single cooperative curved terminal cam face on the sliding element yieldingly held in abutment with the flat face of the cam follower pin, the flat face of the rotatable cam follower being freely rotatable to adjust itself along the curved cam face of the sliding element upon rotation of the shaft, said sliding element, by reason of the terminal cam face, being independently manually movable along the shaft away from the follower pin for release of the pin from its position on the shaft.

6. In combination in a vise a shaft mounted for rotatory movement, a sliding clamp jaw element mounted on the shaft for linear movement relative thereto, means precluding rotation of the sliding element with the shaft, a

cam follower pin carried by the shaft and mounted for rotation on an axis transversely of the shaft, and a single cooperative terminal cam face on the sliding element, for producing relative longitudinal movement of the sliding element and the shaft upon rotation of said shaft, said sliding element, by reason of the terminal cam face, being independently manually movable along the shaft away from the follower pin for release of the pin from its position on the shaft.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 8th day of November,

JESSE D. LYON. 

